ON THIS day

1554

Thomas Wyatt, leading a rising against the Catholic Queen Mary of England, surrenders when his followers are outmanoeuvred by loyalist troops in London

1788

Colony of NSW is formally proclaimed; Phillip is sworn in as governor at a parade at Sydney Cove. 1863

Steam corvette HMS Orpheus, bringing supplies and reinforcements from Sydney for the Maori War, is wrecked near New Zealand, killing 190 people.

1917

After a month of negotiations, the Nationalist Party is born as the National Labor and Liberal parliamentary groups merge. 1920

Admiral Alexander Kolchak (or Koltchak), leader of the White Russians in the Russian civil war, is executed by Soviet Communists.

1928

“Bert’’ Hinkler, from Bundaberg, takes off from Croydon, England, on the first solo flight to Australia. 1931

The Royal Military College moves from Duntroon, Canberra, to Sydney as an economy measure. It returns in 1937.

1940

The animated film Pinocchio has its world premiere. It becomes one of Disney’s most beloved classics, known for its brilliant animation and compelling story.

1948

Neil Harvey, 19, scores 153 in the fifth Test against India at the MCG, to become the youngest Australian to score a Test century.

1964

The Beatles land in New York City. Their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show is watched by 73 million viewers.

1986

Prostitute and police informer Sallie-Anne Huckstepp’s (above) strangled body is found in a pond at Centennial Park, Sydney. She was girlfriend of heroin dealer Warren Lanfranchi, shot dead by Sgt Roger Rogerson in 1981. 2009

The Black Saturday bushfire disaster burns through Victoria; it will claim 173 lives.